Quote Originally Posted by Crankin View Post
I got the Jamis Coda, with the intent of using it to commute (14-15 miles each way). I bought it because it has low gears and I live on a very big hill and an even steeper driveway. And, I am short. It makes it up both of these fine, but there is no way I could ride it to work and get there in decent time because it is SO heavy compared to my road bike, by the time i have the pannier on, even heavier. I love riding it into town and for short errand commutes, but I can't get my average over 12.5 on this bike. Maybe I am weak compared to some of you, but this is like 2.5-4 mph slower than on my road bike.
My commuter is also a whole lot heavier than my road bike. My average speed is also a whole lot slower than on my road bike (around where yours is). I don't think I would expect any different...it's a stouter bike...it carries a load...it has bigger tires run at lower pressure...it has lower end (i.e., heavier) components...it's an apple to my road bike's orange. I don't view that as a problem...I just make an account for it in planning. Plus...a week of lugging my heavy commuter around makes my weekend rides on my road bike that much faster!